International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
  • Year: 2022
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue: 1

Response of gadam sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) to farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer application

  • Author:
  • Riziki Mwadalu1,2,*, Benson Mochoge1, Maina Mwangi1, Sagar Maitra3, Harun Gitari1
  • Total Page Count: 10
  • Published Online: Jul 25, 2023
  • Page Number: 51 to 60

1Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development, P.O Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

2Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Central Highlands Eco Region Research Programme, P.O Box 20412-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

3Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India

*Corresponding author: zikiemwa@gmail.com (ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3278-0502)

Online Published on 25 July, 2023.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Farm Yard Manure (FYM), mineral fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus), and their combination on the production of Gadam sorghum in a Kenya Semi-arid region of Makueni and Machakos counties. The first experiment evaluated the response of sorghum to N and P application at four levels (0, 25, 50, 75 kg ha-1) whereas the second evaluated the response of sorghum to the combined application of FYM (0, 5, and 10 tons ha-1) and N and P fertilizer (0 and 50 kg ha-1). Nitrogen application enhanced sorghum yields more than phosphorus addition. Combining N at 75 kg ha-1 and P at 50 kg ha-1 gave the highest sorghum grain yield in Kampi ya Mawe which was 135% higher than the control. In Katumani, combining 50 kg ha-1 N and 25 kg ha-1 P gave the highest mean grain yield, which was 68.3% more than the untreated control. In the follow-up experiment (Kampi ya Mawe), combining FYM with NP fertilizer (50 kg ha-1 N & P and 10 t ha-1 FYM) gave the highest yield; 13.7% more than the control. At Katumani, however, combining FYM at 10 t ha-1 and 50 kg of N and P resulted in insignificant differences in grain yield compared to the untreated control. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was optimal at 50 kg ha-1 N and declined at 75 kg N ha-1. Similarly, phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) was highest at 50 kg P ha-1. Based on the results, it’s evident that the integration of organic and inorganic nutrient sources enhances sorghum yield.

• Nitrogen application enhanced sorghum yields more than phosphorus addition.

• Sorghum grain yield increased by 135% after combining N at 75 kg ha-1 and P at 50 kg ha-1 at Kampi ya Mawe.

• Nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency was optimal at 50 kg ha-1 application rate.

• Integration of organic and inorganic nutrient sources enhanced sorghum grain yield.

Keywords

ASALs, Soil fertility, Sorghum, Nutrient use efficiency